Mattress tufting machine



Oct. 23, 1934. E. M RO'SKEY MATTREs TUFTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 4, 1931 INVENTOR. fawn/ea L. MRo5Kr BY mm Co.

ATTORNEYS.

Oct, 23, 1934. 3 E. L. MCROSKEY 1,977,856

MATTRESS TUFT ING MACHI NE Filed May 4, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR.

EOWA/ED L. /7 ROS/CE)- mm/ \4 CO.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 23, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE My invention relates to improvements in mattress tufting machines and it consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

This case is a continuation in part of my abandoned application, Serial No. 427,281, filed April 25, 1930, and sets forth and claims the particular machine used in tufting a mattress. In my copending application I show and claim a mattress and the novel. manner in which this mattress is tufted. I

An object of the present invention is to provide a machine which will designate all of the places on the mattress which are to be tufted and which will simultaneously depress the mattress at all of these places. also support the mattress and permit it to be turned angularly into any desired position and to remain in this position. The machine furthermore has automatic means for compressing the mattress at the places of tufting to the desired extent.

Other objects and advantages will appearin the following specification, and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointe out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which Figure '1 is a side elevation of the device; I Figure 2 is a section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the device;

Figure 4 shows a gear mechanism;

Figure 5 shows another viewof the same gearing mechanism; and

Figure 6 is a plan view of one of the mattress depressing members. i f

In carrying out my invention I provide supporting legs 1 and 2, the leg 1 carrying a bearing 3 while the leg 2 carries a bearing 4. The mattress supporting frame A is provided with a trunnion 5 journaled within the bearing 3 and a trunnion 6 (see Figure 5) journaled in the hearing 4. The trunnions .5 and 6 are centrally disposed with respect to the width of the mattress supporting frame A and normally above the The machine will a Each frame A and B has a mattress depressing frame 0 and D respectively, and each frame is provided with a plurality of conical-shaped mattress depressing members 8 (see Figure 6). The members 8 are arranged in any desired manner and are connected to each other by cross strips 9 which in turn form the mattress depressing frames C and D and are arranged 'to provide openings 8' between the conical members 8 so as to render the surface of the mattress accessible for adjusting purposes. In Figure 6 I show screws 10 or other suitable means for securing the conical members 8 to the strips 9.

Each' conical member 8 has an opening 10 in its bottom and a slot 11 cuts across the opening as shown for a purpose hereinafter described.

The guides '1 are placed far enough apart to permit a mattress 12 to be placed above the mattress depressing member C and to rest on this member. A guide 13 (see Figure 1), is supported by arms 14 which are adjustable in two of the guides '7 (see Figure 3) and are held in adjusted position by set screws 15 (see Figure 2). The mattress has one end contacting with the guide 13. The mattress is centered by means of plumb lines 16, these lines being positioned directly above marks on the mattress which have previously been placed in the center of the mattress.

I will now describe the means for moving the frame B toward the frame A for depressing the mattress to the desired extent. It should first be noted that the conical members 8 on the frame D are disposed directly above the conical members 8 on the frame C. The frame B has projections 16 (see Figure 3) which are threaded for receiving threaded shafts 1'7 and 18. The pitch of the threads on the shafts is such asato support' and hold the frame'B at any positi n.- The shaft 17 is shown in Figure 5 and is rotatably carried in a bearing 19 supported by the frame A. A worm gear 20 is=keyed to the shaft 1'1 and meshes with a worm 21, the latter being mounted upon a driven shaft 22.

Figures 4 and 5 show howthe shaft 22 carries a large gear 23 which meshes with an idler gear 24, the latter meshing with a driving gear 25. The gear 25 is mounted upon a driven shaft 26 which is axially disposed in the trunnion 6. Figure 1 shows the shaft 26 connected to a motor shaft 27 by means of a universal joint 28. The motor shaft 2'7 extends from the motor 29 which is mounted upon a casting 30 that also carries the bearing 4. v

The threaded shaft 18 is operatively connected to the shaft 22 by a worm gear and worm not shown but similar to the worm gear 20 and the worm 21. In this way a rotation of the motor 29 will rotate both shafts 1'7 and 18 at the same speed for lifting or lowering the frame B. The motor 29 is reversible for this purpose.

Guards 31 are provided for protecting the mattress from the shafts 17 and 18. The guards are in a semi-circular shape.

I provide a simple means for bringing the motor to a stop when the frame B has been moved into the desired position. A-rod 32 (see Figure 1) is carried by the frame B and stops 33 and 34 areadjustably mounted on the rod. A switch arm 35 is placed in the path of the stops and controls a switch 36 which is in electrical connection with the motor 29.

Assume that a mattress has been placed in the machine and that a switch 37 has been closed for starting the motor in a direction for moving the frame B downwardly. The frame B will be moved downwardly by the threaded shafts 17 and 18 and the rod 32 will be carried downwardlywith theframe. This movement willcontinue until the stop 34 strikes the switch arm 35 and opens the switch 36, thus stopping the motor. switch 37 is again closed for causing the motor 29 to operate in the opposite direction, and the frame B will be raised until the stop 33 engages with the switch arm 35 and again-breaks the circuit to the motor 29.

It should be noted that the gearing between the shafts 17 and 18 and the motor 29 is such that the frames A and B can be swung into any desired angular position. The frames will remain in balance regardless oftheir position because the axis of rotation of the frames coincides with the center of gravity of the revolvable structure. In Figure 5 I show a spring pressed locking pin 38 that is designed to enter one of a number of recesses 39 in the trunnion 6 and this pin will lock the frame from rotating.

I have described in my co-pending application how the mattress is tufted and it is needless to set this forth in the present case. It is sufficient to state that the conical members 8 depress both sides of the mattress and the operator passes tufting needles through the openings 10 and through the mattress, doing their work from the top of the frame B. After strings have been threaded through the mattress at all places indicated by theopenings 10, the frames A and B may be rotated for bringing the'frame A into a position overlying the frame B. This permits the operator to secure tufts to the other ends of the strings by forming larks-heads in the strings in the manner shown in my co-pending application. After the mattress has been tufted the frame B is moved away from the frame A and the mattress is allowed toresume its'normal' Slots 11 are used when tufts are disshape. pensed with.

Although I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that the sameis susceptible of various changes and I reserve the right to employ such changes.

After the mattress has been tufted the the first frame and being carried thereby, mattress depressing members'carried by said framesand having openings aligned with each other, and means for moving the second frame toward the first for causing the members to compress a mattress, said members designating the places where the mattress is to be tufted, said frames when holding a compressed mattress being disposed equal distances from the axisof rotation of the trunnions, whereby the frames may be swung into any desired angular position and will remain in balance.

3. A mattress tufting machine comprising a support, a frame having trunnions, the axis of the trunnions being disposed above the plane of the frame and midway between the sides, said trunnions being rotatably mounted in the support, a

second frame movable toward and away from the first frame and being carried thereby, mattress depressing members carried by said frames and having openings aligned with each other, and means for moving the second frame toward the first for causing the members to compress a mattress, said members designating the places where the mattress is to be tufted, and means for stopping the frame moving means after the frames have compressed the mattress to a predetermined point.

4,. In a mattress tufting machine, a pair of -1riattress depressing members, means for moving the members toward and away from each other, and plumb lines carried by one of the members for aiding in centering a mattress with respectto the members.

5. A mattress tufting machine comprising a support, amattress supporting frame having its ends pivotally mounted in the support, said frame normally being disposed below the pivotal axis, a second frame carried by the first, screws adjustably connecting the first and second frames together, means for rotating said screws and including a motor driven shaft aligned with the pivotal axis of the frame, and a motor connected to the shaft and carried by the support, said motor being operable for moving the frames toward each other for compressing a mattress therebetween.

6. A mattress tufting machine comprising a support, a mattress supporting frame having its ends pivotally mounted in the support, said frame normally being disposed below the pivotal axis, a second frame carried by the first, screws adjustably connecting the first and second frames together, means for rotating said screws and including a motor driven shaft aligned with the pivotal axis of the frame, and a motor connected to the shaft and carried by the support, said motor being operable for moving the frames toward each other for compressing a mattress therebetween, and members carried by said frames for compressing the mattress at predetermined places. 7. A mattress tufting machine comprising a support, a mattress supporting frame having its ends pivotally mounted in the support, said frame normally being disposed below the pivotal axis, a second frame carried by the first, screws adjustably connecting the first and second frames together, means for rotating said screws and including a motor driven shaft aligned with the pivotal axis of the frame, and a motor connected to the shaft and carried by the support, said motor being operable for moving the frames toward each other for compressing a mattress therebetween, said frames being swingable angularly while compressing a mattress.

8. A mattress tufting machine comprising a support, a mattress supporting frame having its ends pivotally mounted in the support, said frame normally being disposed below the pivotal axis, a second frame carried by the first, screws adjustably connectingthe first and second frames together, means for rotating said screws and including a motor driven shaft aligned with the pivotal axis of the frame, and a motor connected to the shaft and carried by the support, said motor being operable for moving the frames toward each other for compressing a mattress therebetween,,

said frames being swingable angularly while compressing a mattress, and means for locking the frames against rotation.

9. A mattress tufting machine comprising a frame adapted to receive a mattress thereon, a second like frame carried thereby for movement in spaced and parallel relation thereto between mattress admitting and mattress compressing positions, means disposed at opposite ends of the frames for moving the second frame toward the first frame for compressive engagement with the mattress while maintaining parallel relation between the frames, the assembled frames bein mounted with freedom ofrevolving movement to permit inversion of the frames and including means providing a supporting axis for the frames at the opposite sides of which the frames are equidistantly related when in mattress-compressing positions, so that the weight of one frame will counterbalance that of the other to thus enable the frames to be sustained in an inclined position when turned about said axis.

10. A mattress tufting machine comprising a frame adapted to receive a mattress thereon, a second like frame carried thereby for movement in spaced and parallel relation thereto between mattress admitting and mattress compressing positions, me'ans disposed at opposite ends of the frames for moving the second frame toward the first frame for compressive engagement with the mattress while maintaining parallel relation between the frames', the assembled frames having openings for allowing the mattress to be adjusted during the initial period of the compressive movement and the assembled frames being mounted with freedom of revolving movement to permit inversion of the frames and including means providing a supporting axis for the frames at the opposite sides of which the frames are equidistantly related when in mattress-compressing positions, so that the weight of one frame will counterbalance that of the other to thus enable the frames tobe sustained in an inclined position when turned about said axis.

11. A mattress tufting machine comprising two mattress compressingsections adapted to receive a mattress therebetween, frames supporting thesections and having portions projecting beyond the sections, means for maintaining the sections in parallel relation, and means for urging one frame toward the other for compressing the mat tress, said last means being carried by the proone section toward the other associated with the projecting portions of the frames whereby the mattress compressing sections are left substantially unobstructed.

13.' A mattress tufting machine comprising a pair of .mattress compressing sections adaptedto receive a mattress. therebetween, means for pivotally supporting one of the sections and -means formoving the other section toward and away from the first section including an element passing axially through the pivotal support.

14. A mattress tufting machine comprising a pair of mattress supporting sections adapted to receive a mattress therebetween, frames for supporting the sections and having portions projecting therebeyond, means for pivotally supporting one of the frames, guide means associated with the projecting frame portions for maintaining the sections in parallel relation and means for moving the second frame toward and awayfrom the first frame including an element'passing axially through the pivotal support.

15. A mattress tufting machine comprising a pair of mattress compressing sections adapted to receive a mattress therebetween, means for pivotally supporting one of the sections, means for moving the other section toward and away fromthe first section, a stationary motor and a driving connection between the motor and the moving means arranged to allow of a complete turning movement of the two sections.

16. In a mattress tuftingorganization, means including a member characterized by a plurality of spaced apart apertured inclined ccmpression surfaces'up'on which a mattress is adapted to be slidably supported while in a horizontal position so as to-co-relate the compression surfaces with respective portions of a mattress at one side members for relative movement to advance the respective compression surfaces thereof against opposite sides of the mattress while maintaining the alignment; means on said members to effect such relative movement and means for mounting the members for vertical tilting movement and including co-axialtrunnions on the first mentioned member and offset therefrom so that the respective portions of a mattress at one side thereof; a similarly characterized,..member;'the" .so as taco-relate the compression surfaces with apertures of which-are'peimaiiently aligned with those of the first member; means for moving the members relatively to advance the respective compression surfaces thereof against opposite sides of the mattress wlfile maintaining the alignment; and means for mounting the members for vertical tilting movement so that the axes of the apertures of the respective compression surfaces are in substantial horizontal alignment, the moving means including a power transferring motor; and means for automatically stopping the motor to thereby determine the extent of movement of one of the members relative to the other thereof.

18. In a mattress tufting organization, means including a member characterized by a plurality of spaced apart apertured inclined compression surfaces upon which a mattress is adapted to be shi'ftably supported while in a horizontal position so as to co-relate the compression surfaces with respective portions of a mattress at one side thereof; a similarly characterized member, the apertures of which are permanently aligned with those of the first member; means for moving the members relatively to advance the respective compression surfaces thereof against opposite sides of the mattress while maintaining the alignment; and means for mounting the members for vertical tilting movement so that the axes of the apertures of the respective compression surfaces are in substantial horizontal alignment, the moving means including a power transferring motor:

and means for automatically stopping the motor to thereby determine the extent of movement of one of the members relative to the other thereof, and means for locking the members in horizontal positions.

19. In a mattress tufting organization, a plurality of identical compression members disposed in parallelism, each having a plurality of spaced apart apertured compression surfaces, the surfaces of one member confronting those of the other member; means for mounting the members for movement about a supporting axis so as to cause same to assume respective positions of angular adjustment, and whereby when the members are in one position the apertures of one member are vertically aligned with those of the other, and when in another position-the apertures of one member will besubstantially in horizontal alignment with those of said other member; means for holding the members against turning move ment, and means for turning the members simultaneously while moving same toward each other in relative parallelism.

20. A mattress tufting organization including a pair of substantially similar pressure exerting members, each of which is characterizedby an inner face and an outer face upon the former of which are mattress indenting portions apertured to enable a tufting cord to be passed from the outer face of one member to the outer face of the other member; the mattress indenting portions of the respective members being related to each other for cooperable presentation against respective sides of a mattress to compress the parts thereof to be tufted; means for moving one member toward or away from the other member; means for supp rting both members for rotational movement as a unit around ahorizontal axis; means for limiting relative separation of the members; means for limiting relative movement of the members toward each other to control the pressure of the indenting portions against said opposite sides of the mattress; and means for holding said members against rotational for automatically arresting the movement of said Y second member toward said first member when the second member reaches a predetermined spaced position with respect to the first member; and means for locking the mounting against rotation.

22. In a mattress tufting machine, upper and lower substantially rectangular, spaced apart members for receiving a mattress therebetwcen, on the lower one of which said members the mattress is adapted to be supported forfree sliding movement in any direction horizontally upon an application of manual force thereto from a point at any longitudinal edge thereof, so as to dispose the longitudinal edges of the mattress in positions parallel to the long sides of the lower mem-' ber; means for mounting the members for relative movement; means for supporting the members for angular movement about a'horizontal axis; means for moving the members relatively; means for limiting the movement of one member in a direction away from the other said member; means for automatically stopping operation of the moving means to determine the extent of movement of one member towards the other; and means cooperable with the members to compress the mattress at the points of tufting throughout the entire area of the mattress.

- 23. A mattress tufting machine comprising rotatably mounted and relatively reciprocal upper and lower compressing members, each having a plurality of equi-distantly spacedmattress indenting portions; the indenting portions of the respective members confronting each other and having alined apertures for the passage of tufting devices therethrough; means for supporting both members in horizontal spaced-apart positions; the mattress indenting portions of the lower member having inclined walls with smooth surfaces over which a mattress can slide and having horizontal walls at the crests of said inclined walls over which the mattress can also Freely slide and upon which the mattress can rest; the mattress indenting portions of the upper member being substantially like those of the lower member;

and means for moving the members relatively to .mattress admitting and compressing positions.

24. A mattress tufting machine including a pair of co-operable, spaced-apart, compressing "frames in the space between which .-a mattress can be placed in a flat horizontal position; means -for mounting one frame for reciprocal movement with respect to the other frame; means on said frames for indenting a mattress at places to be tufted during relative compressive movement of the frames; and guide means on one of said frames for contacting one end of the mattress during transverse adjustment of the mattress between said frames.

25. A mattress tufting machine comprising a mattress-supporting frame; a co-operable mattress-compressing frame located above the supporting frame; a motor; means co-operable with the motor and the compressing frame for moving the latter relatively of the supporting frame; and means co-operable with the motor and the compressing frame for stopping the motor to thus limit the movement of the compressing frame toward the supporting frame.

26. A mattress-tufting machine comprising a mattress-supporting frame; a co-operable mattress compressing frame located above the supporting frame; a motor; means co-operable with the motor and the compressing frame for moving the latter relatively of the supporting frame; means co-operable with the motor and the compressing frame for stopping the motor to thus limit the movement of the compressing frame toward the supporting frame; means for mounting the frames to turn together about a horizontal axis; and means for holding the frames against turning about said axis during movement of the compressing frame toward said supporting frame.

27. In mechanism for supporting and compressing a mattress to enable same to be tufted,

.a mounting; a pair of co-operable relatively movfor the tufting thereof; the frames having aper-.

to j

tured means for indenting the mattress at the places to be tufted; and means equidistant from the frames, when the latter are in mattress compressing positions, for supporting the frames upon the mounting to swing as a unit from a horizontal position to either a vertical or an inclined position, and including bearing means about the axis of which said frames can swing as a unit, as aforestated, while equidistantly spaced apart from each other at opposite sides of said axis.

28. A compressor frame for mattress-tufting machines comprising a horizontal structure, the upper surface of which is provided with mattressindenting portions, each having-convergent walls with smooth surfaces over which a mattress can slide freely, said portions being spaced apart from each other and the convergent walls of each portion being connected by a wall over which the mattress can also slide freely and upon which 'the mattress can rest at the places to be tufted,

L. MCROSKEY. 

